Dental-floss holder.



PATENTED APR 4, 1905.

0. M. RAWLINS.

DEHTAL PLOSS HOLDER. APPLICIATIGH FILED SEPT. 1, 1904.

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UNITED STATES Patented April 4, 1905.

CLIFTON M. RAVWLINS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

DENTAL-FLOSS HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 786,678, dated April 4, 1905.

Application filed September 1, 1904. Serial No. 223,045.

T a, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLIr'roN M. RAWLINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of eOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dental-Floss Holders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improved dental-floss holder adapted for use in holding the dental floss taut when the same is employed and for conveniently containing a quantity of dental floss on abobbin and also adapted to be folded and compactly disposed when not in use, so that it may be readily carried in the pocket.

My invention consists in the construction,

combination, and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dental-floss holder,

embodying my improvements, showing the same with its spring-frame extended and the floss disposed in operative position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the same, showing the frame folded and closed against the body of the holder; and Fig. 4; is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken on the plane indicated by the line a a of Fig. 3.

The body 1 of my improved dental-floss holder is of tubular cylindrica form and of suitable size to contain a bobbin 2, on which is wound a quantity of dental floss. In one side of the tubular body is a longitudinal slot 3 through which the floss extends, and one end of the tubular body is open and is provided with a cap or closure 4, the same fitting against a shoulder 5, with which the body is provided, and the body or cap 01' closure having a coengaging shoulder or lug 6 and notch 7 to lock the cap against rotation on the body. The outer end 8 of the cap or closure projects beyond its head 9 and forms a projecting annular flange, which has openings 10 in opposite sides, one. of the said openings registering with a longitudinal groove 11 in the outer side of the cap or closure.

I employ a spring-frame 12 to support a portion of the floss and'hold the same taut while being used. This spring-frame is made from a single piece of spring-wire and is preferably of the form shown in the drawings, having a right-angled portion 13 at its inner end passed through the openings 10 in the cap and pivotally connecting the spring-frame to the cap, and an arm 1% at the terminal end of the said transverse portion 18 to enter the groove 11 of the cap and provided at its outer end with a transverse arm 15, which terminates in an outwardly-directed hook 16. The length of the intermediate portion of the said spring-frame and of its transverse end portions 13 15 is such that the spring-frame may be folded compactly against the body portion of the holder in order to compactly dispose the device when not in use. hen in use, the floss is wrapped around the arm 1% and is stretched between the said arm and the book 16 and wrapped around the latter, said arm and said hook serving, owing to the tension of the spring-frame, to hold that portion of the floss which is between said arm and hook taut and adapt it for use on the teeth of the patient, as will be understood. hen the frame is in its extended position, the arm 1& engages the groove 11 of the cap or closure, said arm and groove coacting to hold the frame in extended position.

On one side of the cylindrical body is a cutting device 17, which is employed for cutting the floss.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A dental-floss holder comprising a body portion having a detachable cap at one end, and a frame to hold the floss in an extended i: T 4.1m

position with respect to the body portion, said frame being pivotnlly connected to and carried by the cup and adapted to be Folded. against the body, and a bobbin in the body, retained therein by the detachable cap.

2. A dental-floss holder con'iprising a body portion adapted to contain a que n ti by of dental floss and being open at one end and provided with on opening in one side for the passage of the floss, (a cap or closure to close the said open end of the body, and 2], device pivotally connected to and carried by the cap or closure to hold a portion of the floss tent in an extended oted device being 't'oldable upon the body, and.

bovin means to en 'a 'e the end thereot opb i! C! poslte the stud cap or closure.

my hand in presence of two subscribing Wl'i':

nesses.

CLIFTON M. Rr'flVLINS. YVitnesses:

CLAYTON R. BALDWIN, J. SHARP MAXWELL.

position with respect to the body, said piv.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto setv 

